Close CBGB’s?
This article thinks its time, arguing that the club has existed on its legend, rather than what got it that legend for too long. I don’t agree but he makes a convincing argument.
Fans of the club have created SaveCBGB.org as a central resource.
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2 Replies to “Close CBGB’s?”
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I think article is spot on with the argument that CBGBs has existed on its legend for a long time.
It’s true, the benefit shows are pretty cool. I can’t believe the bands – the Vandals and Jerry’s Kids (?!), a reunited Kid Dynamite (!!), the Dead Boys, Flipper, Youth Brigade, the Waldos… the list goes on and on. Unbelievable, but these are all *old* bands. CB’s has been about as far as a club can be from any noteworthy music since the good ole days as a place featuring new music could get.
When I lived in NY during mid to late 90s, it was true — any band w/ a whacky name could get a show there, often with six or seven other terrible bands. Sure, once in a while a band playing there would get shows elsewhere and get noticed, but not because of CBGB. And often, these exceptions were forgettable anyway – bands that went on to record unmemorable records for major labels (I know this from firsthand experience.)
Except during CMJ, it wasn’t the place to go see groundbreaking music. Not that CBs shouldnt continue to be a place where any crummy band can get a show, that has a place, too. But if they can’t pay the rent, why shouldn’t they close? The bands that typically play there aren’t contributing or preserving punk, except in volume or perhaps enthusiasm.
There’s a huge difference between what bands like the Sick of it All, Gorilla Biscuits, the Dead Boys, the Ramones (the list goes on and on) did for music and who would typically play there now. They’ve missed out on contributing to any other interesting music scene in NYC since the 80s.
Sorry for the length of this, I was going to put on my own blog, but doesnt make sense out of context.
I think article is spot on with the argument that CBGBs has existed on its legend for a long time.
It’s true, the benefit shows are pretty cool. I can’t believe the bands – the Vandals and Jerry’s Kids (?!), a reunited Kid Dynamite (!!), the Dead Boys, Flipper, Youth Brigade, the Waldos… the list goes on and on. Unbelievable, but these are all *old* bands. CB’s has been about as far as a club can be from any noteworthy music since the good ole days as a place featuring new music could get.
When I lived in NY during mid to late 90s, it was true — any band w/ a whacky name could get a show there, often with six or seven other terrible bands. Sure, once in a while a band playing there would get shows elsewhere and get noticed, but not because of CBGB. And often, these exceptions were forgettable anyway – bands that went on to record unmemorable records for major labels (I know this from firsthand experience.)
Except during CMJ, it wasn’t the place to go see groundbreaking music. Not that CBs shouldnt continue to be a place where any crummy band can get a show, that has a place, too. But if they can’t pay the rent, why shouldn’t they close? The bands that typically play there aren’t contributing or preserving punk, except in volume or perhaps enthusiasm.
There’s a huge difference between what bands like the Sick of it All, Gorilla Biscuits, the Dead Boys, the Ramones (the list goes on and on) did for music and who would typically play there now. They’ve missed out on contributing to any other interesting music scene in NYC since the 80s.
Sorry for the length of this, I was going to put on my own blog, but doesnt make sense out of context.